The goblets were filled; they touched and drank. At that moment the waiter arrived with the last dish ordered; he came toward them and was on the point of placing it on the table, when Plumard, in a renewed outburst of enthusiasm, raised his arm and his glass so suddenly that he overturned upon Passedix the dish that the waiter had in his hands. In an instant the chevalier was covered from top to toe with the fricassée of hare; his doublet and his short-clothes were drenched with it. Passedix swore like one possessed, and would have thrashed the waiter, who declared that it was not his fault. Plumard shouted even louder, so that no one should guess that it was his. Bahuchet, who alone had remained calm, observed, when the others had ceased their outcries: "It was an accident! But since the harm has been done, monsieur le chevalier, it seems to me that, instead of losing your temper, which will do no good at all, it would be much better to think of repairing the disaster." "Repair the disaster! Sandis! my doublet and my breeches are covered with grease. Such an elegant costume!--spoiled--ruined!--Can I show myself in this condition?--Luckily, I had taken off my cloak; otherwise it would undoubtedly have received its share of the fricassée!" "I say again, seigneur, that the damage is not so great as you think; I know a dyer and cleanser on Rue Saint-Denis, who is renowned for his skill in removing spots from every kind of fabric; he will cleanse your clothes perfectly, and it will not cost you overmuch." "Eh! cadédis! what care I for the cost? As if I ever looked at money! That is not what disturbs me! But in order to have my doublet and breeches cleansed, I must certainly take them off; so I shall be left almost naked--in shirt and cloak--and I cannot go home in that airy costume." "Another suggestion, seigneur," said Plumard; "suppose we should go to some bathing establishment? You have eaten nothing, so you may safely take a bath; and while you are taking it, Bahuchet will run to the cleanser's with your clothes." "Ah! that is not badly thought of! I approve my esquire's suggestion; I was just thinking that I should like to bathe." "Master Hugonnet's baths are on this street, not far away; let us go there, seigneur." "In that case, I must go out with this sauce all over me! That annoys me!" "We will walk close beside you, seigneur, one on the right, the other on the left; and with your cloak, in addition, no one will see anything!" "Very well, so be it!--Let us start at once for the baths; I am in haste to be cleansed!" Passedix paid the bill and left the wine shop, flanked by his page and his esquire. LI A BATH The chevalier and his bodyguard arrived at Master Hugonnet's. "A bath for me instantly," said Passedix; "and while I am in the water, my page here will take my garments to the cleanser's." Master Hugonnet escorted the Gascon to the hot baths.